Boulder County residents slam road rehab options

BOULDER -- Boulder County commissioners came in for another round of criticism Monday for the options they've proposed for rehabilitating rural residential subdivisions roads.

Voting is already under way on Boulder County Ballot Issue 5C, the measure that's asking subdivision voters to approve a $30 million bond issue and an annual property-tax mill levy to begin subdivision road rehabilitation.

At issue during Monday's public hearing, though, was a scenario that would assess property owners for the bulk of the unincorporated subdivision road repair, repaving and reconstruction costs over the next 15 years through a commissioners-created Subdivision Paving Local Improvement District.

That's a backup plan the Board of County Commissioners intends to pursue if subdivision voters reject the proposed permanent property-tax-supported district.

Chuck Wibby, a resident of 4569 S. Meadow Drive who's a co-chairman of Boulder County Fairness In Road Maintenance, an organization opposed to both special districts, said he believes "there are plenty of funds available to accomplish the cost" of the work without taxing or billing subdivision property owners.

Wibby, one of 12 people who spoke at Monday's hearing, said there are "fatal flaws" in the proposed structures of either a PID or an LID. He urged the commissioners "to stop this train wreck" and work with residents to tap other county money that's available.

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Several speakers, including a pair of residents of the Willis Heights subdivision north of Longmont, questioned whether the county has lived up to its contention of continuing routine, non-rehabilitative maintenance of paved county roads, such tasks as filling potholes, sealing cracks and plowing snow.

Vic Argabright of 12798 Hillcrest Drive argued that if roads had been properly maintained, "they would have lasted longer" and wouldn't need to be repaved now.

The only speaker to support the options was Dick Piland, president of the Niwot Community Association and a member of a working group of subdivision representatives who advised county officials in their development of the PID and LID proposals.

"I will vote for the PID, but I'm glad that we have a backup plan," Piland said.

The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office has distributed ballots to more than 20,000 subdivision residents and property owners eligible to cast ballots on the proposed Subdivision Paving Public Improvement District.